Category: Education

Bankyim (W/R), Dec 12, GNA-AngloGold Ashanti (Iduapriem) Limited (AAIL) has donated medical supplies worth over GHS 210,000 to Fiaseman Senior High School and a Community-Based Health Planning Services compound in Bankyim, all in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.

The items which include; medicines, hospital beds, mattresses, among others, are expected to help improve healthcare delivery in the Municipality in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG3).

Speaking to journalists after the presentation, Mr Stephen Adjei, Senior Manager- Sustainability, said “we received a request from Fiaseman SHS for medical supplies but as a corporate institution that has contributed to making healthcare more accessible to our host communities and beyond, we decided to help.”

He expressed the hope that the donation would go a long way to place the school’s infirmary in a position to deliver quality health care to students who report to the facility.

“Additionally, the Mine has constructed a community centre for the residents of Bankyim and they have converted part into a Community-Based Health Planning Services (CHIPS) compound. We would donate similar medical supplies to them,” Mr Adjei indicated.

He reiterated that in terms of health interventions, Iduapriem Mine had assisted the two major health facilities in Tarkwa-Nsuaem, namely Tarkwa Municipal and Apinto Government hospitals severally to improve the health service delivery in the Municipality.

He added that the Mine would soon hand over a newly constructed clinic, including a maternity block, physicians’ flat and nurses’ quarters, to the Adieyie community, also in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.

A representative of the Municipal Director of the Ghana Health Service, Madam Abigail Toffey, thanked Iduapriem Mine for the support and stressed that the donation was huge and timely.

Mr Robert Yalley, Assistant Headmaster in charge of Academics, expressed gratitude to AAIL and promised the items would be put to good use to encourage their donor to offer more support.

He also appealed to the management of AAIL and other benevolent organisations to provide the school with a vehicle and a new infirmary.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Gomoa-Fetteh Kakraba (C/R) – Professor Ahmed Jinapor, Deputy Director-General of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), says stakeholders in the country’s education sector must collaborate to improve digital skills to successfully achieve the STEM-humanities agenda.

He said the country’s digital quality of life index, which currently ranks among others is the lowest in the world.

Prof. Jinapor made the remarks at the 11th congregation ceremony of KAAF University College in Gomoa-Fetteh Kakraba in Central Region.

In all, 161 males and 174 female candidates, representing 48 per cent and 52 per cent respectively were recognized.

The event was on the theme:“Digital Life for socioeconomic change: The Role of Private Universities within the New GTEC Regulatory Framework.”

He said the survival of training programmes in private tertiary institutions and the sustainability of the institutions would be largely influenced by the quality of digital life within the community.

The Deputy Director-General said with Universities leading remote learning and the use of State-of-the-art solutions globally, their role in the promotion of digital life for socio-economic change was clearly cut out for them.

“In Ghana the prevailing 60:40 STEM-Humanities national education agenda further accentuates the matter,” he added.

He said beyond the need to bridge the infrastructural and manpower gaps, the intense demand for technology-based solutions and the Coronavirus global pandemic had brought about profound implications on education and skills agendas.

Consequently, he said Universities were expected to churn out graduates, who have the ability to find, evaluate, use, share, and create content using digital devices.

Prof. Jinapor said although the history of the digital transformation went back half a century, it took a catastrophic event such as the coronavirus global pandemic for the average college to consciously begin a process of integration of digital skills in their everyday teaching and learning.

He said business, engineering, healthcare, and legal personnel, who join the workforce with high digital quality of life index with the ability to navigate advanced technology and work remotely were likely to be successful.

Prof. Herbert Kwabla Dei, the Rector of KAAF University College, said they were working in collaboration with other stakeholders to embrace digital skills and technology to ensure that the academic plans of their students were not unduly interrupted.

He said the University College had produced its first batch of Midwives to support the healthcare sector; a sector which was in dire need of professionals with skillset.

The Rector said in an effort to churn out well-rounded, industry ready and employable graduates, the College would continue to strive towards improving competitiveness in the world of work.

“We recently adopted a work-study curricular, making industrial attachment a necessary part of all undergraduate programmes at KAAF University College,” he added.

Prof Dei said the University had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for their Electricals/Electronics and Mechanical engineering students to visit KANTANKA once or twice a week.

He said they were leaving no stone unturned in preparing a fertile academic environment for the young minds.

He said in spite of the challenges facing private tertiary institutions in Ghana, and the current economic crisis facing governments, businesses and individuals “we have not relented in providing content, capacity and excellent service to meet the rising demand for job-ready graduate and undergraduate programmes.”

Prof. K. B. Omane-Antwi, the Chairman of the Governing Council of KAAF University College, said within the new regulatory framework, the College, having been around for more than a decade, was expected to Charter by 2024.

He said to successfully meet the set deadline, KAAF must be attractive and sustainable.

“Without a doubt, Colleges lacking substantially in the use of digital learning and State-of-the-art solutions would fail to attract sustainable number of students to charter smoothly,” he added.

Prof. Omane-Antwi, speaking through a representative, called on Governing Councils, Vice Chancellors and Rectors, the Ghana Education Service, Industry players and policy think thanks to collaborate to ensure that schools in Ghana play their role by prioritizing efforts towards improving the quality of digital life in Ghana.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Students in the Master of Arts in Brands and Communications (MABC) programme at UPSA have been treated to a unique networking session on campus.

The highly patronized event, dubbed the MABC Commercium, brought together for the first time students, lecturers, faculty members, and alumni of the MABC program for a night of excitement, celebration, music, and dance.

Patrons were also treated to thrilling performances from renowned music stars including Edem, Akatakyie, Elorm GH, and Akwaboah.

The annual MABC Commercium, according to Dr. Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid, MABC Programme Coordinator, aims to foster professional networking among brands and communication professionals while also providing a conducive platform for students to discuss common issues affecting their studies and profession in general.

Dr. Abdul-Hamid stressed that academic qualifications in the 21st century were no longer enough to put one on the pedestal of success, adding that it was imperative for graduate students to build strong professional relationships as they climbed higher on the professional ladder.

“Networking is not only about exchanging ideas, but also serves as an avenue to create long-term relationships with mutual benefits,” he said. “Networking also opens the door for newer opportunities and helps you grow in confidence and status.”

Dr. Abdul-Hamid, who is also the mastermind behind the MABC Commercium, revealed that the event is here to stay.

He expressed his gratitude to the organizing committee for making the maiden edition a success. He also thanked the various sponsors, including SpicyGirl, Cocktail Laboratory, DJ Mensah, and Koco D’Luv Enterprise, producers of Koco Crunch plantain chips, for their support.

The event was co-emceed by ace comedian DKB, who brought his A-game to the academic feast while the famous DJ Mensah was behind the turntables.

The Commercium was considered a huge success, and not even the intermittent showers on the night could stop patrons from enjoying the night, which was full of positive vibes and laughter from comedian DKB.

Gracing the occasion were the newly appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Prof John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, as well as the incoming Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Dr Samuel Antwi.

Also in attendance were Prof Fidelis Quansah, Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies, Dr George Agbemebiase, Head of the Department of Marketing, Mr Abdulai Munkaila, Programme’s Coordinator for Total Quality Management.

Source: University of Professional Studies

Accra, Dec 08, GNA – School for Life, a Non-Governmental Organisation on human rights and education has stated that the 2023 budget has not specified how the huge infrastructure gap at the basic educational level will be plugged.

“Excluding the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), the total allocation to the MoE for 2023 is GH¢22.9 billion. Of this amount, GH¢2.7 billion, which represents about 12 per cent of MoE allocation, is devoted to Capital Expenditure (CAPEX). It is the CAPEX amount that will be used to finance educational infrastructure, including basic education infrastructure”.

A statement signed by Amadu Zulyaden, Policy Influencing and Advocacy Specialist of the NGO and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said the concern was that GH¢1.6 billion of the CAPEX allocations, constituting 59 per cent of CAPEX, was expected to come from development partners.

“Given the current unfriendly global economic climate, and concerns about Ghana’s creditworthiness, this amount may not be realised, putting capital expenditure in the educational sector at significant risk.

The statement said the freeze on employment was a major concern. “The questions that arise are: (a) Will the recruitment of new teachers into the basic education sector be affected by this freeze, what constitutes ‘very critical cases’? If history is something to go by, then question (a) will be answered in the affirmative”.

It said the most recent IMF programme led to a freeze in employment in the education sector, with recruitment limited to replacement of retired and deceased employees and the ambiguity in the caveat ‘very critical cases’ lent itself to discretion and abuse.

“Exemptions to the employment freeze must be properly spelt out to enhance transparency and accountability. Suppose the employment freeze is carried through to the latter in the basic education sector. In that case, it will further worsen the pupil-teacher ratio in public schools and heighten inequities in access to quality basic education”.

The statement said over the years, allocation to GETFund had become a significant source of infrastructure finance for the education sector, including basic education.

“In the 2023 budget, an amount of GH¢1.87 billion is allocated to GETFund even though the total GETFund levy accruals is GH¢4.64 billion. This means that only about 40 per cent of GETFund levy expected accrual is being allocated for GETFund activities which will further weaken GET Fund’s ability to fund infrastructure projects and contribute to the increasing number of abandoned GETFund projects at various levels of education.

“The fact that 60 per cent of GETFund accruals go elsewhere speaks to the adverse effects of the capping of funds by the Government. The infrastructure gap at the basic level is enormous and will require a huge financial injection to fill.

“Over 5,400 Basic Schools are held under trees; about 4,000 public primary schools lack Junior High Schools contributing to high drop-out rates1. The total uncapping of GETFund revenues will release funds for investment across the education value chain from basic to tertiary and reduce the increasing incidence of abandoned projects in the educational sector”.

The statement said in the 2023 budget, a total of GH¢969 million was allocated to the School Feeding Programme, representing a nominal increase of about 10 per cent over the 2022 allocation of GH¢881 million. Despite the increase, Government will be unable to match the increase in feeding grant per pupil per school-going day from 97Gp to GH¢3 requested by SFP caterers. Given that inflation is currently above 40 per cent, in real terms, the allocation to SFP in 2023 has declined.

“If the inflationary pressures continue to mount in 2023, and if no further measures are taken to increase feeding grant amounts in line with caterer demands, we might experience agitations from SFP caterers as happened in 2022. To forestall this, the Government should start engaging caterers to agree on the way forward while seeking additional funding to plug the funding gap.

The statement called on the government consider a total uncapping of GETFund revenues to release funds for investment at all levels of education, especially primary education, to address the issue of schools under trees and reduce the incidence of abandoned projects in the educational sector.

“Parliament must ensure fair and equitable distribution of GETFund receivables, favouring infrastructure investments in basic education, before approving the GETFund distribution formula in the first quarter of 2023 and the Government must clarify the ‘very critical cases’ in which employment will be allowed to ensure policy clarity and transparency, and forestall abuse of the policy”.

It said the recruitment of new teachers in underserved basic schools should be allowed in 2023 to improve quality in deprived and rural schools.

The statement also called on the government to embark on Mobile Library Van Outreaches in 1,200 Basic Schools across the country to promote reading culture and access to reading materials, inspect and license 24,500 private schools at the pre-tertiary level and conduct school performance inspections in 2,381 public and private Basic Schools.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Wa, Dec. 07, GNA-Mr Adams Iddrisu Thirdman, the Headmaster of the Wa Senior High School has expressed worry over the rampant encroachment of the school lands and the erection of structures along the frontage of the school by private developers.

He said the challenge was creating a lot of disciplinary problems for the school authorities and students, which called for urgent measures to help address it to enhance discipline and academic work.

He said several recalcitrant students who took advantage of the erected illegal structures to scale the school had been on indefinite suspension.

Mr Thirdman was speaking during the launch of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Wa Senior High School in Wa, which was on the theme: “Providing quality secondary education for national development”.

The headmaster said the school authorities had written official letters to the Wa Municipal Assembly to address the situation, but their efforts had been thwarted to date, a situation that had allowed discipline to suffer in the school.

He said the future of Wa Senior High School depended so much on the quality of its graduates and appealed to former students to continue to support and participate actively in matters affecting the school.

He announced that Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament through his Social Investment Fund had facilitated the award of a contract for the construction of a 2000-seater capacity auditorium for the school and urged others to emulate him to improve the lots of the school.

Mr Thirdman said despite support from the government, civil society organisations and public-spirited individuals, as well as former students, the school was still faced with challenges of dormitories, assembly hall, dining hall, inadequate water supply and toilet facilities, which were impeding smooth academic work.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Dec. 6, GNA – St. Nicholas Preparatory School marked its 10th anniversary celebrations of the provision of holistic education that improves the lives of disadvantaged children in Tema New Town from pre-school up to Junior High School.

 The anniversary coincides with the graduation of the first batch of students, who had successfully completed the Basic Education Certificate Examination since the establishment of the school in 2012.

 Madam Deborah Eleazar, a director of Tsakos Shipping London and a Founding Trustee, said the progress of the school and the success chalked could not have been possible without support from donors and trustees.

She made special mention of the Maria Tsakos Foundation for providing the seed money for the start of the project and for their continued support.

She also thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Greece, Mr. Nicos Dendias who on an official visit to Ghana found time to visit the school and has since supported in many laudable ways.

She acknowledged the immense support the school receives from Mytilineous Metka who contributed among many others, the canteen building, some classrooms and recently a school bus and continue to support the school. She also lauded the contribution of Tsakos shipping companies, Captain Barry Hedges and the 500 Reasons Group and many other individuals who are supporting the school through provision of funds and sponsorship of specific children. 

Ms Maria Asmarianaki , a Greek national working  in Ghana, donated on behalf of Kate construction of Greece , 181 new shoes for the children and three months of food in support of the schools programme of providing two square meals free of charge to the children every school day.

 Ivan Quashigah, CEO of Farmhouse Productions and a trustee of the School, described the anniversary as a very special day for all who saw the humble beginning of the school as no one believed it could attain such remarkable heights within 10 years.

 “We saw the beginning of what we didn’t know would turn out to be what we are seeing today. It was just a leap of faith and I have to say anytime I come here to see the children delivering so much of what they have been taught, I marveled,” he said.

 Mr Quashigah praised the role played by Captain Alkiviades Kappas, and Madam Deborah Eleazar who championed the project when it started with a handful of children under a shed on the premises of the church.

“The labour of love is now mature and today we are celebrating 10 years of a school that has become an oasis of hope in the midst of deprivation and despair”

 

“The dream of the founding trustees which is embodied in the motto of the school “every child deserves an education” is centered on the premise that the vicious cycle of poverty which is common in this area and which keeps replicating itself through generations where a child is born into poverty; is brought up in deprivation, grows up with lack of the requisite skills and is disadvantaged and end up bringing up his or her own children in poverty can only be broken through the provision of quality education” he opined.

Professor Francis Dodoo, who was the Guest Speaker, encouraged the students to make the necessary efforts to leverage the opportunities that come available to them.

He urged the parents and teachers to take up the responsibility and commit themselves to supporting the school to give the children a better shot at life.

 “I’m hoping that at some point, these children can take advantage of the opportunity of being in a sanctuary like this. It’s a lighthouse. It’s a brilliant way to light the future for the

young ones,” he said.

 He also advised the children. “You have to try to work hard. You have to understand that good things do not come easy. You have to work hard. You have to listen to your teachers. You have to try and push even when things are not easy, when they are painful,” he added.

 Professor Dodoo urged the graduates not to dwell on their current achievements but to persevere and achieve while scaling the barriers on their way and called on the sponsors to continue to support the school.

Mr Evans Setuagbe, Headmaster, said St. Nicholas had offered a unique education to the community and the country.

“We have come a long way since 2012 offering education with Lifeline support and care. A very unique opportunity for families who cannot afford basic educational needs for their children,” he said.

While the students wait for their results, which will be released in February 2023 to enable them go on to the secondary school, St. Nicholas is offering them a work experience programme for them to pick up a few more responsible behaviours before they move on.

Ms Lawrencia Kemavor, in a speech on behalf of the graduates, expressed gratitude to the sponsors, teachers and parents for contributing to a free and quality education.

There were exciting displays by the School Cadet, the cultural troupe, the Greek Dancers and the composers club and awards for individuals and institutions that had played a key role in the development and growth of the school.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Kamgbunli (W/R), Dec 05, GNA – The Turkish Embassy in conjunction with the office of the National Chief Imam, has concluded negotiations for the establishment of the Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu Technical University in the Nzema area.

The memorial University is in honour of the National Chief Iman as an indigene of Axim in the Western Region.

Spokesperson to the National Chief Iman, Sheik Aremiyaw disclosed this during a sod-cutting ceremony for the university at Axim in the Nzema-East Municipality of the Western Region.

It also formed part of his two-day visit to Axim, the land of his birth.

After joining the Muslim Community at Kamgbunli for the Jumma prayers, Sheikh Aremiyaw disclosed the establishment of the proposed University to the gathering and asked for the help of Paramount Chiefs and other traditional rulers, and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah and the District Chief Executive (DCE) Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh to help actualize the dream of the National Chief Iman.

He said education was dear to the heart of the Chief Iman who had contributed towards Islamic and secular education in Ghana.

Sheik Aremiyaw added that the National Chief Iman, also a member of the National Peace Council, was a great asset to the nation as he played a unique role in mediation and conflict resolution.

He said the National Chief Imam had succeeded in bringing peace and unity to conflict zones in many parts of the country.

For his part, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah eulogized the Chief Imam as a humble, peaceful, and selfless just like Ephraim Armoo, George Paa Grant and Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, all illustrious sons of Nzema who had contributed to the development of Ghana.

He was happy to tap the blessings of the National Chief Iman and promised to liaise with his office to ensure that the University project became a reality.

Mr Buah thanked the Muslim Community at Kamgbunli for their prayers and support to rally behind him since he ascended the high office of Member of Parliament for the area.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Kwasi Bonzoh said Nzema was proud to welcome the National Chief Iman back home.

He said as an icon of peace, he had contributed towards the development of the country.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Dec. 5, GNA – Former President John Dramani Mahama has entreated the 2022 graduating class of Accra Business School (ABS) to be part of nation-building by taking an interest in national leadership.

 

He said this at the 13th congregation of the ABS, where 212 students were awarded various degrees, including the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting and Finance, and the Bachelor of Science in Administration and Global Leadership.

 

This year’s congregation was themed, “Creating Jobs in the Ghanaian Economy: Challenges and Opportunities.”

 

Former President Mahama, who was the Guest of Honour, congratulated the graduates on their latest milestone after a long and challenging journey of combining work and studies.

 

“You have achieved a feat worthy of commendation and celebration; well done. I believe you have been equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and resources and have what it takes to excel in an open world. The world is waiting for you, and the stage is yours.

 

“It is obvious you are ready to conquer what is ahead of you, notwithstanding the huge expectations and the rough terrain that is ahead. Today you graduate from the confines of this institution and are ready to venture into a world full of uncertainties.

 

“You will no longer be under the instruction of lecturers, but the guidance you receive here and the rules you follow may yet make the difference between success and failure,” he stated.

 

Former President Mahama urged students not to feel too comfortable in their various fields of endeavour, but get involved in changing the fortunes of the country.

 

“As you step out of the walls of this university, you must be part of the change you want to see. You must be part of building the Ghana we want. 

 

“Do not feel comfortable in your establishment or wherever you work. Take an interest in national leadership. Do not leave everything to the politicians. Politicians can make your life better or worse; get involved and change things if you do not like the way things are,” he said.

 

Professor Elvis Cornerstone, Vice President of ABS, in his address urged students to be job creators rather than seekers and capitalise on the numerous entrepreneurial opportunities amidst the challenging economic situation.

 

“As graduates, you will now belong to a distinguished group of alumni, who have gone before you and, through their studies with us, have gone on to make an indelible contribution to the development of Ghana and West Africa in myriad ways.

 

“”You have by virtue of the qualifications attained, which we celebrate today, and the skills you have, acquired considerable personal advantages. Use them to beneficial effect for personal, family, and national benefit.” he said.

 

Mr Prince Nuamah Amoako was adjudged the overall best student of December 2022 Class of ABS.

Source: Ghana News Agency